‘Tears of joy’: Pagé family thrilled as former billet son Protas realizes NHL dream
When a young man makes the NHL, it’s a culmination of years of hard work and dedication that isn’t just their own. As that moment arrives, they’ve got lots of people they want to share it with, and one pro was quick to share it with his billet family in Prince Albert.
For two seasons, Aliaksei Protas was not just a member of the Prince Albert Raiders, he was a member of the Pagé household as their billet son. Once he found out he’d made the Washington Capitals roster straight out of camp, he called up his old billet family.
“I cried,” said billet mom Kim Pagé. “He Facetimed us that night to let us know. He was incredibly happy, smiling, laughing. Just tears of joy. We celebrated through Facetime.”
Protas has played in both Capitals’ games so far this season, but he made his NHL debut last season. When the Capitals were hit with injuries and illness, they brought him up to the big club and he did so well, he stayed there for 33 games.